Earth’s gold traces back to ancient neutron-star mergers
Scientists say that most heavy elements like gold were forged in neutron-star mergers via rapid neutron capture, not in ordinary supernovae. The 2017 GW170817 event provided real-time evidence of this process, with gold and other heavy elements ejected in a kilonova and later incorporated into new stars and planets. The gold in our wedding bands, teeth fillings, and heirlooms began its long journey long before the Sun formed, in cosmic collisions that happened billions of years ago.
